Kintsugi is a gold joinery method that dates back to the 15th century Japan. It is a way for damaged pottery to be artfully repaired by skilled potters. The cracks and breaks are filled with a gold alloy – traditionally a mix of gold powder and Japanese lacquer called urushi – to seal it back together.
In collaboration with the artists at Sonoma Cultural Exchange, Elaine has taught on art, perception, and creativity. By noticing our direct sense perceptions such as touch and sight, we explored choices in recreating a whole piece from brokenness. She finds this process of re-creation to be a physical reminder of how we might grieve and make ourselves whole, incorporating woundedness into a piece rather than hiding it.